Greg Fleming gets emotional when he talks of the children
he sees learning and having fun at the Huron Valley
Boys & Girls Clubs in Ypsilanti. He also
knows all too well that that safe and friendly environment
for approximately 600 children is often perched on the
financial precipice.
"United Way provides 80 percent of our budget, which is
wonderful. But,
it's a little frightening to be that dependent," said Fleming,
president of the Huron Valley Boys & Girls Club Advisory
Council who also has a seat on the board of the Boys & Girls
Club of Southeastern Michigan. "But,
thank God for United Way. Without them, this club wouldn't
exist."
 |
A HELPING HAND: Ozone House is
dedicated
to providing safety,
emergency shelter, transitional
housing and a continuum of support
services to
runaway, homeless and
at-risk youth in Washtenaw
County.
Ozone House is one of many United
Way agency
options from which EMU
employees can choose to
donate. |
Many other United Way agencies in Washtenaw County have
similar needs and concerns.
"It seems that every year the need to give is great,
but this year times are especially tough all over and Washtenaw
County is no exception," said Freman Hendrix, EMU's
chief governmental relations officer and one of three co-chairs
for EMU's United Way campaign. "The traditional government
safety net that we've grown to rely upon simply isn't there
as it once was and it's up to each of us to do our part
to re-establish that safety net. I'm proud to be a part
of the EMU community, where faculty, staff and students
are responding to this call in large numbers."
Last year, 31 percent (626 employees) of the campus participated.
This year, no overall campus participation goal has been
set, said Jessica "Decky" Alexander, a co-chair of EMU's
United Way campaign.
"We are really encouraging departments and programs to
set their own goals this year," Alexander said.
In addition, Alexander, Hendrix and the third campaign
co-chair, Dennis Stolte, have set an overall goal for EMU
to raise at least $110,000 in donations and hope for at
least 30 Leadership Givers (there were 26 last year who
donated a minimum of $1,000). Last year's campaign raised
$106,043.
Through Oct. 19, EMU has raised $41.589 toward its goal
and has attracted 15 Leadership Givers, 21 Caring Club
members and seven Labor leaders, Alexander reported.
The American Red Cross is one of the more recognizable
United Way agencies in Washtenaw County. However, there
are many more organizations that merit consideration during
the campaign.
The primary distributor of food in Washtenaw County, Food
Gatherers, gleans surplus food from more than 300 sources
such as restaurants, food retailers, food wholesalers and
dormitories like EMU's Dining Services. By providing
food to more than 150 community programs, it supplies enough
food for more than 5,500 meals a day, mostly for families
in need of food.
As a collective unit each year, EMU collects nonperishable
and canned goods for Food Gatherers at its annual Thanksgiving
luncheon, which is scheduled Nov. 13 this year. In addition,
50 cents from each ticket is donated to Food Gatherers.
Washtenaw United Way agencies include:
Alzheimer's Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter;
American Red Cross, Washtenaw County Chapter; Ann Arbor
Center for Independent Living, Ann Arbor Community Center,
Ann Arbor YMCA, Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County,
Community Action Network, Community Dental Center, The
Corner Health Center, Dawn Farm, Food Gatherers, Girl Scouts
of the Huron Valley Council, Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan,
Hope Clinic, Housing Bureau for Seniors, Huron Valley Boys
and Girls Club, Ypsilanti Student Literacy Corps, Michigan
Ability Partners, Michigan Visiting Nurses, Motor Meals
of Ann Arbor, Myasthenia Gravis Association, Neighborhood
Senior Services, Ozone House, Parents Together, Peace Neighborhood
Center, Perry Nursery School, SafeHouse Center, The Salvation
Army of Washtenaw County, Shelter Association of Washtenaw
County, SOS Community Services, Student Advocacy Center,
Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy, Washtenaw
Camp Placement and Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels.
United Way community affiliates include: The Dexter Area
Service Association, Faith in Action, Milan Community Council,
Aid in Milan, The Saline Area Resource Center and Saline
Area Social Service, Inc.
Please talk to your unit representative for more information
about all of the organizations or visit the Web site at
www.wuway.org.
